That's What You Think: How was your break?

Published 01.16.01 in The Heights, Boston College


By Annie Barrett

Hi everyone. Um… this is my first meeting. I’m Annie Barrett and there are a lot of voices in my head.

You know how in some situations, you can almost hear what other people are thinking? Me too. (Hence this column’s title, which is brutally subject to change.)

So this column will serve to make heard those silent cries of angst, annoyance, anarchy, and maybe, on rare and momentous occasions, more optimistic vibes. Face it, sometimes the things we think to ourselves during a conversation are much more entertaining than what ends up spouting out of our more tactful, forgiving mouths.

In order to prevent the unlikely possibility of confusion in distinguishing between that spoken and that thought, I’m going to try and have some fun with italics. And I’ll be sure to never use footnotes, because they’re just that obnoxious.1

This week, we’re scheduled to face what could be a countless number of New Year Encounters (NYEs) with any and all on-campus acquaintances. Many of these chance meetings will be accompanied by squeals and frighteningly forceful bear hugs or mutual well-intentioned grunts of acknowledgement, depending on your gender.

Of course, many other greetings will be slightly less enthusiastic. For example, consider those fellow classmates with whom you’re friendly, but not necessarily bear hug-friendly. Conversations involving this category of acquaintances will directly match this simple outline:

1. Bright smiles, both parties casually slow to a stop.

2. “Hi! How was your break?” followed by “Pretty good.” and then the same exact question from other party.

3. Simultaneously: “Well, I’ll see you later!”

There is no avoiding the above pattern, and definitely no chance of changing it. No matter how repetitive or cheesy asking someone about his or her break seems after the 78th time such an inquiry is uttered, you will keep the nasty habit up until you run out of pals. You will then resort to asking strangers. The four fatal words: “How was your break?” become the evil counterpart to “What’s up?” You keep asking, even though after only a few times, you no longer really care. Eventually, the bad guys in your nightmares begin asking you how your break was. It is at that point, usually around February 1, but hopefully sooner, that you finally refrain from the question.

On the other hand, “How was your break?” can be a lifesaver when faced with someone to whom you never know what to say, or just don’t like. For example:

“Oh, hi.” Normally I wouldn’t talk to you, but this time I have something to ask.

“Hey.” Oh, God, not him.

“How was your break?” Score one for the smooth conversationalist.

“Pretty good. Yours?” No fair! He stole my line.

“Fine.” I hope this ends soon.

“Well, I have class in like two minutes, so I better go.” To get food…

“All right, cool.” I wonder which class starts at 2:37? Liar.

“Later, skater!” He knows I lied. Did I just say “later, skater”?

“Yeah. Bye.” Who says that?

Another type of situation should be addressed: NYEs with acquaintances who have altered their appearances over the past month. Take, for instance, the Tan People, who consider themselves superior to all others solely based on the fact that they happened to either vacation tropically with their families or risk their health/lives in tanning beds. Oh, here comes one of them:

“Hey!” You’re tan and I hate you.

“Hey! What’s up?” Tell me I’m tan!

“Nothing. Don’t you look tan!” Don’t even think about rubbing it in.

“Oh, thanks – but I’m not that tan!” Yes I am. “Does my hair look lighter? I used Sun-In the whole time!” Please don’t say it looks orange.

“Oh, good idea! It’s cute.” It looks orange.

Don’t get me wrong. Perhaps all of your NYEs will be purely enjoyable. Both you and your fellow greeter might get natural highs upon learning that both your breaks were pretty good and that each of you is currently doing fine now that you’re back.

But don’t kid yourself. You know you’ve thought along the lines of the above examples before. That’s what we at TWYT are here for: To tell you what you think. We’re that good.

Since TWYT is a trial column, feel free to direct positive feedback to barretaa@bc.edu. Those individuals harboring negative comments should immediately visit www.whoaskedyou.com.

Finally, if you think this column makes no sense, go ahead and drop me an e-mail. Which I will promptly disregard.

1. You know?

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